A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Thursday said there is no Constitutional provision for interim government in the country.
The Department of State Services, Nigeria’s secret police, had alerted the general public to alleged plans by some people to violently disrupt peace in the country and prevent the inauguration of the ‘president-elect’, Bola Tinubu, on May 29.
The DSS also confirmed reports that there were plots by some people to install an interim government in the country.
DSS in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, on Saturday warned those desperate to cause a breakdown of law and order to desist from such.
However, the constitutional lawyer who called for respect for Nigeria’s Constitution said the secret plans must be rejected by all Nigerians.
He added that persons aggrieved by the outcome of the presidential election should have trust in the courts.
Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday suggesting that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with the treasonable move.
He said, “It is shocking to learn from the Department of State Security that secret plans are underway to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and transition, by arrangements of what is described as an interim government. This will be a major setback and we must all resist it.
“I suggest that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with this treasonable intent. The general elections have held, albeit under the most challenging circumstance. But a president-elect has emerged and we must respect and accept this as fact.
“At least for now. All leading Presidential candidates have approached the courts with grounds of complaint concerning what they consider as electoral irregularities. If the presidential candidates have accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then it is very difficult to understand upon what basis anyone considers that an interim government is a viable and legal alternative.
“We must all reject this nonsense and respect our Constitution, which has no provision for interim arrangements.
“As the President-elect is sworn into office on May 29, the Judicial process will ultimately render a decision. As Nigerians, we must turn to the Courts to render a decision on the petitions before them.”
“The Judicial process will certainly carry a huge responsibility in the process of democratic consolidation. The notion of the contraption referred to as interim government, has no place in our lives and our constitution. WE MUST ALL SAY NO!” he said.
